Arlington, VA, June 2, 2008—The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching, announced that Dr. Patricia M. Shane, associate director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) and clinical professor of science education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, began her one-year term as president-elect of the NSTA on June 1, 2008. She will assume the office of president on June 1, 2009.
“Pat brings more than 40 years of experience in the science education field and has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected leader, said Gerry Wheeler, executive director, NSTA. “We are thrilled to have her on board.”
Shane brings years of leadership and teaching experience to NSTA through her work as a classroom teacher, associate director, college professor, project coordinator, and science consultant to several publishing companies and school systems. In addition to having taught middle level science for 17 years, Shane worked as a middle and junior high school counselor and served as a science, mathematics, English language arts, and reading coordinator for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools in North Carolina. She also served as president of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA), North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA), and the North Carolina Science Leadership Association (NCSLA). Since 1992, Shane has been employed at CMSE, focusing on improving K–12 science and mathematics education in North Carolina.
An NSTA member since 1985, Shane has contributed extensively to the association. She served as a district director and a Building a Presence for Science state coordinator, worked on numerous committees and task forces, edited five NSTA books on science leadership and issues, and presented several sessions at NSTA national and area conferences.
During her distinguished career, Shane has received $2 million in grant funding for various projects. Her other accomplishments and awards include receiving the Vi Hunsucker Outstanding Science Educator Award, NSELA’s Presidential Award and National Outstanding Science Supervisor Award, the Herman Gatling Award for Outstanding Science Supervisor, the Science Star Award, and the Distinguished Service in Science Education Award—administrator/supervisor division.
Shane earned three degrees at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. between 1966 and 1976, and received her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, with concentrations in science and reading, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 57,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact Information
Kate Meyer
National Science Teachers Association
kmeyer@nsta.org
(703) 312-9211
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